Q1

Sebastian Vettel signalled his intention in Q1 with a lap almost half a second faster than his team mate’s. The two Red Bulls ended the session on top with Jenson Button third in the McLaren.

As usual the three new teams failed to progress beyond the first stage of qualifying. Jarno Trulli was the quickest of the six cars, beating team mate Heikki Kovalainen by three tenths of a second.

Vitantonio Liuzzi was the only driver from the established teams to fail to reach Q2. Unlike team mate Adrian Sutil, who missed almost all of final practice, Liuzzi was running Force India’s F-duct on his car.

But he wasn’t able to improve his time on his second effort and, not for the first time in 2010, his qualifying session was over in the first 20 minutes.

Q2

A tight second part of qualifying brought a surprise elimination – Fernando Alonso.

Just three tenths of a second covered Button in fourth to Rosberg in 12th as the drivers began their final laps. Alonso was already in the drop zone and a mistake at turn 12 on his penultimate lap left followed by a failure to improve on his final effort left him out of Q3.

Once again it was the two Red Bull cars at the top of the times, with Hamilton in close attendance. Vitaly Petrov made it through to Q3 along with team mate Kubica.

Q3

Webber went fastest on the drivers’ first runs, edging Hamilton by three hundredths of a second.

Behind them their team mates were even closer – Vettel just two hundredths faster than Button.

Webber found even more time on his final run and although Hamilton improved as well, Webber held on to pole position.

Vettel, however, made a mistake at the first corner and instantly spoiled his lap. That gave an opportunity for Button to get ahead but he wasn’t able to capitalise.

Button had dropped back and let Schumacher past before they started their final laps. But that backfired when Schumacher spun off at turn eight and Button had to back off because of the yellow flags.

Schumacher stayed fifth and will share the third row with team mate Nico Rosberg.

also thank webber to stop the talking about vettel im sick of people who think vet is the best and specially of the people ruling out web from the champ AND WHAT A ABOUT THAT CHASSIS EXCUSE VETTEL AND SCHUMI great work ham always better than BUT and the ferraris are the disappointment i love ferrari but poor qualy

Other observations: the pole time this year was 2 seconds faster than last year – which is amazing.

Four of the past 5 Turkish Grand Prix have been won from pole. Vettel broke the run last year when he slipped at turn nine allowing button to overtake him (a great moment of the season).

Last year both Webber and Rubens started on the dirty side of the track – and they both lost places at the start (Webber regained over Trulli later in the first lap). So there is a significant effect of starting in an even numbered position – which could hamper Hamilton tomorrow.

It also may seem that Mercedes have overtaken Ferrari based on the results today. Alonso made yet another mistake, but the team must be disappointed with Massa running behind the 3 other top teams and a Renault (this was supposed to be his race, where he re-affirms himself and his position at the team on a track that he excels at).

I think he will have to do it right at the first corner because the advantage red bull have in turn 8 means he wont be able to get close enough to them on the straight. Excellent quali for him though :D

webber has been preventing that move this year by swinging right across as soon as he can and closing off that option by taking the inside line and forcing the other driver onto the outside. He did it in Spain, in Monaco and we all remember how he did it to Rubens last season

Funny how last year most RBR fans were bored of Brawn by this point and now they’re loving it. Now Merc, Ferrari and Mclaren must be sick and everyone else just slightly disheartened :P

Smashing job today by Webber. I don’t like to read too much into things but though Seb would be a bit closer to Webber this season.

Good job also by Hamilton, HRT esp Bruno and Petrov.

Lotus quali battle is 4-3 to Trulli so maybe Trulli needs a little more praise even if he is looking grumpy and is the quasli master anyway ;)

Massa put in a good job today I think. I would have liked a little more but he’s struggled with harder tyres a lot so nice to see he was challenging Alonso.
Mistake from Alonso, a pity but he’s a fighter so some points would be nice. I’m starting to feel sorry for the guy for the amount of stick he’s getting lately though! I’m a bit confused by the mistakes as in 06 against Schumi he was so close to flawless it was unnerving but a few mistakes aren’t the end of the world.

I thought that too – Brundle’s outburst against Fernando came from nowhere! I think he’s overdriving to make up for various mistakes made by himself and the team this year – it’s not like Alonso at all.

Yeah I remember last year (I think at Singapore) Fernando was saying how he may not always be the quickest or pull out the fastest lap but he is always consistant. This year he has been far from consistant, or you could argue, consistantly making mistakes.

I agree. This year Fernando has not displayed the mental composure that has helped him win in 2005 & 06. I think the pressure of driving for Ferrari, as well as making up for some lost opportunities is getting to him. He needs to calm down and avoid unnecessary risks.

Brundle’s outburst was a surprise, the way he said it made me chuckle though even if I thought it was harsh. I’m a lot more disappointed with some articles and fans who have called Alonso “the fake champion” etc.

I think if Alonso relaxed or did whatever he needs to do to be more conmfortable and not overdrive then he’ll get in a better situation. He’s still showing his worth by his recoveries but his mistakes are really taking much needed points from his title campaign. It is unlike Fernando right now but I’m sure he can get back to his usual ways before long. I’d lvoe the points for him but at least he is being entertaining

yes, the outburst was a little bit harsh. Sounded like he had been saving it up for a while. I honestly think that fernando is just trying too hard at the moment as is just making lots of silly mistakes as a result.

Regarding your comment about thinking Vettel would be a bit closer to Webber this season. I think with them being on equal points after the first 6 races it can’t get much closer:)Vettel had the better pace in the first part of the season but also had some problems while Webber’s had the upper hand the past few races. There’s still a long way to go and it looks like it could be a nice close fight:)

A close fight between the Bulls is perfect for the likes of HAM, ALO & KUB. It might in fact be their only shot of overhauling them and taking the championship late in the season. If RB ever had a paring like MSC and BAR, MSC would have been leading by miles. This is the unfortunate thing when you have 2 drivers, neither of which can consistently beat the other. You might win the constructor’s title but it gives the opposition a sniff at the driver’s title

Good job by webber again. Hamilton drove very well for second, but clean side of the track more important here than in Monaco or Barcelona due to side the cars run and also short distance to turn one. Vettel is under pressure now, alot of pressure, interesting stuff.

Very surprised at Fernando’s comments about him being on the absolute limit even without the mistake. In that case looks like Massa’s done a great job but Ferrari have really messed it up on such a historic and important weekend for them.

Great to see that McLaren seem to have sussed their qualifying and they could be a major headache for Red Bull in the race. Mark’s going to have to have a super first lap tomorrow to stave off Hamilton.

I didn’t know about Alonso’s comments so thanks for that Dan. I can feel happier with Felipe now!
Ferrari seem to slip up in quali taking gambles, Mal would be the last example. Hopefully a good race strategy, pace and overtaking will see our drivers get some good points!

That wasn’t a mistake. I’ve watched 3 or 4 onboard shots of him through turn 8 during the weekend and he misses the first, second and third apexes purposely, and only connects up with the kerb on fourth. He simply just bottomed out.

About 1000 pictures are taking of the drivers every day. You can’t expect them to look all happy and satisfied all the time. Of course he is disappointed, if he wasn’t competitive enough to be disappointed he wouldn’t be in F1. It has absolutely nothing to do with being a sore loser.

While i think Vettel has every right to be dissapointed, show it and say so, there’s also a right and a wrong way to do things and i think his performance at the post quali press conference once muttering comments under his breath in reply to Webber and later rolling his eyes after Mark had spoke i found to be very childish, unprofessional and unsporting. Even if his intent was none of the above, it’s all about appearances and he had to know the world was watching it wasn’t a matter of an unfortunate camera snap shot.

I agree, before this season started I was sure that Vettel would beat Webber. I am glad that Webber has found something and taken it back to Seb. After watching Vettel in the press conference I hope Webber pounds him the rest of this season.

You didn’t see Webber acting like a petulant child last year when he was regularly beaten by Vettel, he was just happy to be in a team team that was performing and Vettel should consider himself lucky too. Doesn’t take much for a team to drop off the radar.

Big tick for Petrov, the circuit might suit him but he didn’t crack either. Alonso and Schumacher cracked but don’t run them down for running off, they were just over the edge. Thats what I meant about Massa earlier he might have had 3 run offs in Q3 but he found his edge in a Ferrari that didn’t have it. When Alonso talks afterwards about his performance and the car he never b/s’s, the best thing about Alonso.
Webber had Vettel right up to Q3 despite the scorecard times, but Vettel was more than close in Q3 despite the mistakes / car rear end collapsing. I wonder now if they have to work on it in parc ferme??????

Great stuff by Webber. Knew he was a good driver… but I must say I didn’t think he was this good.

I do expect something from Lewis in the race, as he has been very strong on race pace. That goes extra on the hard compound, on wich they will race the longest!
The first stint will be crucial, if Webber can’t open a big gap he will be vunerable for Lewis!

RedBull have been caught. .14 seconds in qualifying is nothing in the current rules and finally we may see RBR properly pushed in a race. McLaren has showed good race pace, and we know that RBR is basically borderline on brakes. I’m sure they don’t want to be pushed, not in this heat. This is third race in a row where RBR have not showed dominant speed all weekend, so I don’t know why people continue to debate whether they will be caught. Even Vettels .7s advantage over Hamilton in Spain translated into getting jumped, and, if not for a mechanical, getting beaten. Not wishful thinking, but a clear-eyed look at the record.

I’m more worried about Button, his race starts have been rather poor and he tends to lose about two or three positions during the start. If he ends up behind Schumacher or Rosberg, there’s no way he’ll get past them. He needs to be giving Vettel some pressure at least during the race.

Vettel will move ahead of Hamilton at the start. He’s on the clean side of the track. Hamilton may have to defend his place from Schumacher, who will already have got passed Button who is also on the same dirty side of the track as Hamilton is.

I’m gutted for Alonso and that the F10 wasn’t that quick today but I am slightly happy by this from Dyer
“Felipe did a great job, managing to get into Q3 and getting every last possible fraction of performance out of the car” …I can manage half a smile then

There is a chance tomorrow! You’re looking for Lewis to keep a level head, and stay ahead of Vettel and also hope for a probable Webber reliability issue. Lewis for the win to reignite his title chances… I hope. Wouldn’t bet on it though, if lewis wants the win he’s going to try and go around the outside at T8 or something similarly crazy ;)

Aero Damage? where did you hear this? Even if there was, I’m sure the team is allowed to inspect the car & replace any broken parts, just like what Red Bull will be doing to Vettel’s Anti Roll Bar today….

Great qualifying session from Webber once again he raised his game. Alonso’s mistake may cost him this race I really don’t expect that from him. Petrov once again is the best rookie.

The question that is in mind is that will Schumacher starts the race where he is qualified? Thats’ the only mistake he made in his return in F1.First his car does look to have some under aero damage which may needs some repairing & hence force him to start the race from the back. Even if he starts the race where he is now the tyres will be a issue as we can clearly see that he have flat-spotted them.He did a great qualifying lap it will be a shame not to convert that into a strong race result tomorrow.

FI really did a bad job 17th and 11th place. Ok Sutil did well compared with his problem this weekend. But Luizzi he should be in top 10 with the duct I am sure next year he is replaced if they don’t do it soon.

Firstly…
Did Vettel have a real braking problem, or did he just flat-spot his tyres badly enough with the first lockup that he made heavy braking difficult from then on?
Secondly…
Ok, so the RB6 was untouchable in Spain. But I personally thought it was just two great laps from Webber in Monaco and Istanbul, and it’s starting to irritate me that some feel it’s just a walkup front row for either RB driver. Even the journalist conducting the post-quali interview subtly made it sound as though Lewis was driving an underperforming car that he dragged into second, and would maybe have had pole with a better car. The McLaren is FAST around this track! They lose out in sector two, particularly turn 8, and make it back up with the long straight down to sector 3, and both teams are even through slow speed corners. I get the feeling Webber is also starting to be irked by this, and not quite getting the credit he deserves for uncorking some brilliant flying laps.

1/ One of the redbulls i anticipate to have a DNF
2/ Lewis is going to get excited and wear his tires out.
3/ I reckon schumacher had a good chance at a podium.
4/ I have a feeling something bad will happen at the start in the front.

How about big ups for Kobayashi getting his Sauber to p10!? And how about Liuzzi making a case for being replaced before the season’s out? Bravo Webber, bravo to both Renault drivers and Renault development, Bravo to McLaren improving. Thumbs down for Ferrari and Williams.

Well yes, but I’m equally impressed by Petrov being less than half a second away from his team leader.
There are lots of possibilities here -Petrov might be learning quickly, Kubica might have had a problem, Renault mnight have made significant improvements etc etc. Who cares? We might have five horse race from here on.

Kamui of Toyota times is back.I think that japanese guy can do an excellent job yet, all he needs to take is his inspiration from 2009. In 2009, he was driving as Massa in Sauber ‘crazy’ times ( what happened, Massa? ), and I was really appreciating it. However, he hasn’t managed good positions, this year. Good luck for Kamui.

Totally agree Nude Wizard, Vettel really had the sads and was very unprofessional in his reactions during post quali press conference. I would not expect him to be happy but be fair and show some maturity and sportsmanship. His personality has certainly changed since Webber has been nailing the results- he’s not the first driver to ever react that way but it certainly doesn’t make him any more fans or friends.

Perhaps Vettel’s reliability problems are due to a lack of mechanical sypathy. Maybe he is too rough on the car??? Vettel’s behavior was disgraceful. For a paid professional to behave like that in a press conference is unaccepatble. When Mark is beaten by Seb, he is always mature, polite and behaves in a sportsman-like manner. Pull your head out of your own ass you stuck up little German. (I am not a paid professional, therefore I may say this!)

Well spoken JC. I have read elsewhere that the wunderkind broke his anti-roll bar by rough driving earlier in Q3. Looks like the pressure is really getting to him- he has been reading too much of the pro Vettel media spin from earlier this year which had him winning everything this year.
Frustration on the first lap may lead to collision with LH which would leave a 3 way race between MW JB and MS who just also happen to be drivers who can think and drive at the same time..

As much as I am sure Alonso is rueing his mistake, I am looking forward to another awesome drive from him as he charges up the grid and salvages whatever points he can from such a lowly starting position. Whilst he has certainly been making it hard for himself this season, there is no doubt that he has provided plenty of action for us to cheer. I for one, hope he makes Brundle eat his words ! And I am absolutely stoked about Webber’s pole, fingers crossed that he can make it three on the trot.

It is about time to rename the Red Bull team to..Red Bullies…
Every week end it looks like no matter how the rest manage to improve, they have that special something to demoralize everybody else.
Outstanding!

HE’S ONLY FINISHED ONE RACE!! Also he’s got the Sauber into Q3 for the third time and tends to better his much more experienced team mate.

“I can’t help but think Mercedes have turned to Schumacher’s likings”

For the 4325792857585708923872th time Rosberg and BRawn has said they benefit from the same things and have a similiar style! Rosberg was quickest in Q2 at monaco and was competent throughout Turkey qualifying except for getting a lap together the very end – which Schumacher struggled to do as well.

And then when the final few minutes happened – Hamilton vs Red Bulls, and Vettel’s screw up – no hype at all! Itwas expected, admittedly, but still…